5 Common Skincare Myths That Aren't True

4 minute read

These days, it’s difficult to know who and what to believe when it comes to skin care. Google searches yield thousands of articles with contradictory information.

Your skin is the first thing you present to the world, so you want the most up-to-date (and accurate!) information available. That’s why it’s always best to rely on information backed by dermatologists and estheticians… Our founder, Dr. Sandra Lee — aka Dr. Pimple Popper — is here to help you separate skin facts from skin fiction.

Skin Myth: You only need to wear sunscreen when you’re in direct sunlight.

If it’s daytime — even if the sun ISN'T shining — UV rays are actively filtering through the clouds. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD), up to 80% of UV rays from the sun can penetrate the clouds and reach your skin. Partly cloudy days are especially risky if you’re at the beach, in the pool, or near the snow, as these are all surfaces where light can reflect and bounce onto your skin

“If there’s one thing I can convince you to do every single day, it’s to wear sunscreen. As a board-certified dermatologist, I see the damage that the environment can do to our skin, whether that’s in the form of premature aging or even cancer. I know that you may not like the way traditional sunscreen looks or feels on your skin, which makes applying it a challenge," says Dr. Sandra Lee.

The great news is that you don’t have to slather on a thick drugstore sunscreen to protect your skin these days. There are products out there that won’t only protect your skin from UV rays, but in addition free radicals like pollution and blue light you’re probably getting from a laptop screen, on the daily. SLMD Dual Defender SPF 30 is the perfect moisturizer and sunscreen hybrid, made with nourishing, protective antioxidants like Vitamin E and C.

Skin Myth: Salicylic Acid is only good for people with acne.

While salicylic acid is a highly recommended acne-fighting ingredient, it is also known to be beneficial for so much more. This beta-hydroxy acid is able to crystallize to a small enough size to settle within pores clearing them from the inside out of excess oil, dead skin, and dirt.

It also promotes skin cell turnover. In turn, it helps to minimize the appearance of pores, improve the look of hyperpigmentation, and is also helpful in treating sebaceous filaments — those black specks that often get mistaken for blackheads, the visual signs of the lining of your pores being clogged with oil (sebum). You can find this powerhouse ingredient in SLMD Salicylic Acid Cleanser, Salicylic Acid Body Spray, AHA/BHA Swipes, and Salicylic Acid Spot Treatment!

Pictured: Sebaceous Filaments

Skin Myth: You shouldn’t moisturize if you have oily skin.

Though it may sound counterintuitive to add moisture to skin that is already oily and acne-prone, oily skin doesn’t mean your skin is hydrated. In fact, you can have a complexion that’s both oily and dry, and dry skin can actually make acne and breakouts much worse. "There is some belief out there that if you have oily skin, you don’t need to or even shouldn’t moisturize. This is NOT true - ALL skin types need moisturizer. However, if you have oily skin, you should be more selective about what moisturizer you’re using,” says Dr. Lee.

If you have oily skin, avoid occlusive products like Vaseline and opt for lightweight, oil-free moisturizers that will let your skin breather - like SLMD’s Facial Moisturizer or Dual Defender SPF 30. Also make sure you’re utilizing water-rich topical products to hydrate your complexion on top of your usual moisturizer. SLMD's Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a great combination hydrator, made with Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane, two ideal ingredients to treat parched skin that also feels oily.

Skin Myth: Glycolic Acid just exfoliates the surface of skin.

Glycolic Acid does much more than just exfoliate the surface. It is a great, gentle exfoliant that not only reveals smoother, fresh skin, but improves the appearance of hyperpigmentation, as a result! In addition, this alpha-hydroxy acid encourages collagen production by stimulating fibroblasts, which are the main connective tissue cells.

Glycolic Acid is a key component in SLMD Body Smoothing System - good for those looking to mitigate ingrown hairs, razor burn, and keratosis pilaris, and in AHA/BHA Swipes - great for those looking to improve maskne, regular acne breakouts and enhance the glow and texture of their skin.

Skin Myth: Drinking water will clear up your acne.

Drinking about 8 glasses of water a day is the recommended intake to uphold the health of our bodies! However, evidence for a direct link between H20 consumption and acne is limited. While it may not consequently clear up breakouts, drinking water and staying hydrated will keep your skin from looking puffy and sallow. In addition, dry skin is known to trigger oil production, so keeping your skin hydrated will keep your skin from producing excess oil which could lead to an increased amount of acne.